NEXT WORKSHOP: TBA

NEXT SHOW: SATURDAY 1st FEB

ENGAGE US TO ENTERTAIN YOU

Month: April 2021

The Auckland Improv Festival

The Auckland Improv Festival

The Auckland Improv Festival finally arrived, making the days a flurry of activity with workshops to be worked on and shows to be seen.

Held at the Covert Theatre in Ponsonby, it was a massive opportunity to take advantage of experienced teachers like Jim Fishwick from Hamilton, Wade Jackson and Penny Ashton, both from Auckland and others. These meant that new skills and tools were added to the Honest Liars repertoire of games.

The players arrived in the big smoke in individual and group convoys over a few days. Some came later due to their work life, but all had one intent in mind: learning and absorbing as much improv as possible.

Meeting at mealtimes and after workshops stretched the players’ knowledge as they discussed what had been learned. Shows offered inspiration and new ideas as well as laughter and enjoyment.

at covert theatre

The last day rolled around, and after a couple of workshops, the players just had time to have a bit of a break before they were on stage for their hour-long show. Nerves were quelled in the green room after a good warm-up and focus techniques. The intro music played, and the Honest Liars ran out onto the stage.

honest liars

Performing in a different theatre was a novelty, but the players rose to the occasion and games commenced.

They played Alphabet, Pocket Note, Film Noir and a selection of other games showing a variety of short-form improv. These had the audience laughing and enjoying the Honest Liars’ show. The players were put through their paces in locations such as a tree-house, SeaWorld and the deli section at Countdown. From steamy, crime drama to western to pantomime, a diversity of genres filtered throughout the stories being told. A Lord of the Rings Themed Restaurant finished the show with an epic statement of

“The meal is free, but the N.Z. taxpayer will be charged 14 million dollars… enjoy the rest of your evening.”

…and, being the last line, it wound up a successful hour.

themed restaurant

Back in the green room, the players quickly de-briefed, took some well needed slow breaths then headed back to the bar to join family, friends and fellow improvers for a well-deserved drink.

honest liars at covert theatre
Players on stage:

Kathy
Kelly
Fee
Brett
Melissa
Kim
Jon
Mark

and special mention to Sally, Sue and Ian whose commitment to Improv brought them up for the workshops and shows. That’s dedication!

The next show at the Jam Factory is on
Sunday 2nd May 7 pm

Book your tickets, have a drink at Mood Lounge first, then join the players for loads of laughs.

1st Sunday of every Month
Jam Factory, Historic Village
Show Starts: 7 p.m.

book now

The Show Must Go On

The Show Must Go On

A few fingernails were bitten in trepidation for the Easter show, but the players all agreed that the show must go on.

Not only had many locals (and players) left town, but the Jazz festival was in full swing. By the Sunday evening, the jazz goers were winding down after a full-on weekend, so it didn’t look hopeful that there would be an audience.

Never ones to be defeated, the players arrived at the Jam Factory, and after setting up the chairs, warming up the vocals, there was just enough time for a quick bite to eat before the audience arrived. And, yes, ticket sales had happened, so people were expected.

the show must go on

Just before the show began, loud music threatened to drown out any narrative. A rock band was giving a concert on the lawn outside the Mood lounge opposite the Jam Factory. A quick discussion and the players agreed

The Show Must Go On!

Board games and Horror films were the first suggestions for the game of ‘Categories’ in which it was decided that ‘Frozen’ was not a horror film!!

The ‘Themed Restaurant’ was set in the Rocky Horror Show where Kevin and Sue were celebrating their anniversary. The staff came to their table with lines of “The sweet is Transvestite” “On the menu is Dr Frankfurter”, and one waiter brought in the Time Warp song by jumping the table to the left.

A new game for the audience was ‘The Twitch’. This saw Kathy interviewing people for a job at a gas station and taking on their mannerisms. You will see how that worked in the snippet video below.

 

 

‘He Said, She Said’ was another new game and saw Kelly and Brett as plumbers in the public toilet. Brett was the seasoned plumber who could dive in with hands and grab the shit out without blinking, whereas Kelly, the apprentice, had to suit up with shoulder-high gloves. In fact, she put on a second pair just to be absolutely sure.

Improv He said she said

‘Pocket Note’ was back and saw Brett, Kelly and Matt on the Moon for a bachelor party. Looking for strippers was quite an ordeal, but with lines (given by the audience) such as “Thou shalt not shag the bunny”, “My girlfriend looked good in that too,” and “Get the cooking oil” proved to be pivotal to the story. The players couldn’t have asked for more perfect notes.

The show ended on an absolute high and the game ‘A Day In The Life’ had one audience member, Jayden, telling the emcee, Kathy, all about his birthday, which had finished with coming to the show.

The players then played out the day with Jon as Jayden being woken up by Mum, Kathy and Grandma, Kelly.

Day in the life improv game

Three naps, a scavenger hunt and family coming for a party had all the players offering a hilarious rendition of Jayden’s day. The large table that grandma had made had many players carefully trying to fit it into the small space, then Brett, playing a double door fridge, was brought in as the gift from mum.

The fridge turned out to be a small beer one! But the table was definitely large.

Thanks to Jayden and his family for providing the players with a great story to tell (and sending photos of the real things).

Finally, the curtain came down (metaphorically), and as the audience filed out, it became apparent that the competing music band had been zoned out, and the show was a success.

Mood lounge was still open, so the players wandered across for some snacks and a drink before heading home to the respective beds.

after the Honest Liars Improv show

ANNOUNCEMENT!

The Honest Liars have been invited to perform an hour-long show at the Auckland Improv Festival!

If you’re in Auckland Sunday 25th April the players will be at The Covert Theatre in Ponsonby. You can book your tickets here:   FESTIVAL SHOW

Thanks to players

Kathy
Kelly
Ian
Brett
Sue
Matt
Jon
Kevin

Thanks to the Crew:

Fee and the players!

And thanks to Jayden, his mum and sister for a delightful story.

 

The next show at the Jam Factory is on Sunday 2nd May 7 pm hot on the heels of the Auckland Improv Festival  …  FESTIVAL SHOW

Book your tickets for our regular show, have a drink at Mood Lounge first, then join the players for loads of laughs.

1st Sunday of every Month
Jam Factory, Historic Village
Show Starts: 7 p.m.

book now

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons